Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) was introduced into the United States from southeastern Asia in 1916.

It
is well adapted to the climate and soils of Central and Northern
Florida and is the most common home lawn grass in the Florida Panhandle.

Centipedegrass is a slow-growing grass with low fertility requirements when compared to other Florida lawn grasses.

Centipedegrass grows close to the ground, is medium textured, and is naturally lighter in color than other lawn grasses.

Overfertilizing
with nitrogen to obtain an unnaturally dark green color reduces its
cold tolerance, increases long-term maintenance problems, and is
believed to contribute to centipedegrass decline, a disease complex that
produces patches of dead turf in the spring.

Advantages

Centipedegrass does very well in acidic (pH 4.5–6.5) and infertile soils.

It has fair shade tolerance and survives drought conditions by going dormant.